Tom Robb from Stagecoach West Scotland’s Dumfries Depot scooped an award in the Customer Service Champion category

Stagecoach West Scotland employee Tom Robb was among the winners at the annual Stagecoach Group Champions Awards.

The awards – now in their eighth year – recognise excellence over six areas including Safety, Health, Community, Customer Service, Environment and Innovation.

Special Bravery Awards were also presented this year to employees who were caught up in the terrorist attacks in London and Manchester earlier this year.

At this year’s ceremony Stagecoach West Scotland employee Tom Robb was awarded the Silver Customer Service Champion award.

Winners at the event represented Stagecoach Group’s bus and rail businesses in the UK and North America. All received a trophy, cash prize and a two night stay in London incorporating the award ceremony.

Tom , who drives the 101 service from Dumfries to Edinburgh, received 16 nominations. He is described as lovely, courteous, kind and a brilliant driver. Passengers say he is always on time even in poor driving conditions. Staff members who work with Tom also endorse his many commendations from customers, saying he is very hard working. One customer said:" Tom is a friendly, helpful, polite driver who drives steadily, giving us a comfortable and safe journey. I always feel really relaxed when Tom is the driver. He is a quiet, unassuming man who works conscientiously. The best driver on the route- can't praise him highly enough." Another said he is "extremely committed to customer service and service delivery", while another said "he’s the friendliest, cheeriest chap".

The event was also attended by TV personality Jessica Wright, who presented winners with their awards. Earlier this year Jessica took part in a campaign to celebrate the style of Stagecoach’s bus passengers across the UK.

Stagecoach West Scotland Managing Director Tom Bridge said: “I am delighted for Tom and would like to congratulate him on this award which is thoroughly deserved.

“Tom makes a real difference to our business and to our customers every day and I would like to thank him, and our many other hard-working staff, for the part they play in delivering high-quality services to our passengers.”

More than 180 Stagecoach employees have been presented with Champions Awards over the past eight years.